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Wednesday 25 May 2022
Fields torn up in ‘selfish’ joy ride MAX FRETHEY
A ‘selfish’ joy ride that tore up four Nelson sports grounds has left officials ‘gutted’ at the muddy damage which will mean closures while the grass is repaired.
Muddy car tyre tracks have gouged the grounds of Saxton Field in Stoke, the Tāhunanui Recreation Reserve, as well as Neale Park and the Broads Fields in Nelson. Police say the damage was caused on Friday night and
early Saturday morning. Nelson Suburban Football Clubs president Gary Booth says he was horrified to see the damage. “I’m absolutely gutted to see what has happened to our Saxton grounds and also the other clubs’
pitches. This is so infuriating for everyone at Nelmac and our club that works hard to provide quality pitches for our members and the public to enjoy.” Gary says the incident has highlighted the region’s need for an
enclosed, artificial pitch for the 3,000 people who play football locally. “That damage will affect our kids’ games now since the grass won’t
SEE PAGE 2
Wheels spin for new hub Pippi Taylor soars through the air at the opening of the Maitai Recreation hub at Waahi Taakaro Golf Club on Saturday. The hub includes a world-class asphalted pump track, mountainbike facilities, new golf practice nets and outdoor decking at the clubhouse, with access from the newly-upgraded section of the pathway from Sunday Hole. The project was a unique collaboration between Waahi Taakaro, who manages the course on a day to day basis and invested in their own infrastructure improvements, and the Nelson City Council, who paid for the facility alongside the Government. Manager of Waahi Taakaro Golf Club Peter Watson says the hard work now begins to fulfil their ambitions of creating a mecca for recreation. Nelson councillor Tim Skinner called the project a “great quality Swiss army knife of a facility”. Photo: Evan Barnes.
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